South West CANN for Parent/Carers

12/03/2026

🤝 Stronger Together: South West CANN Networking Recap 🤝

We recently had a fantastic evening bringing together some of the incredible minds behind our local charities for a South West CANN get-together!

It was a night filled with nibbles, networking, and a shared passion for supporting families with additional needs. We were so busy connecting and discussing how we can work closer together that we actually completely forgot to take any photos—a sure sign of a great session! 📸🚫

What happened on the night?
✨ A presentation on the CANN Network vision.
✨ Each charity shared the vital work they are doing in our community.
✨ Plenty of discussion on how we can collaborate to create a stronger safety net for our families.

By sharing our expertise and supporting one another, we can ensure no family has to navigate their journey alone.

Read the full recap on our blog here: 👉 https://www.cann-network.org/news/stronger-together-recapping-our-south-west-cann-networking-evening/

12/03/2026

📢 Sharing for Gympanzees: Visitor Information Session

We are delighted to share this update from our partners at Gympanzees! This is a fantastic opportunity to get a first look at the plans for their new centre opening later this year.

🗓️ Event Details:

Host: Gympanzees (Sponsored by Irwin Mitchell)
When: Saturday, 28th March | 10:30 am – 2:00 pm
Where: ICC Wales, Caerleon

Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/visitor-information-session-tickets-1983264373128

✨ What’s Happening?
This session is designed to help families start planning their future visits. The team will be sharing essential details on:

Session types and pricing

Facilities and site progress

Legal support: Hear from Irwin Mitchell about specialist legal guidance for families, with the chance to book a free one-to-one consultation.

♿ Accessibility at the Heart:

Fully accessible venue with a Changing Places toilet.

An adjoining breakout sensory room available throughout the session.

Children are welcome if they are comfortable sitting through the presentation.

🚗 Travel & Parking:
Parking is available on-site (charges apply to Blue Badge holders):

0 – 1 hour: Complimentary

1 – 5 hours: £7

This is the first of three planned sessions! If you can't make this one, keep an eye out for upcoming events in Bristol, Gloucestershire, and online.

Join the conversation and help bring this vision to life for disabled children and young people!

Everything you need to know to start planning your visits to the centre when it opens later this year.

11/03/2026

🌟 NSPCWT Out in the Community! 🌟

Our wonderful Nicola, Chrissy and Leanne were looking smart and proud representing NSPCWT at the Lions Wellbeing Day last weekend! 💜

Events like these are a fantastic way for us to connect with families, raise awareness of NSPCWT, and share the support available for the Parent Carer community.

Our Peer Support Team is always here to listen 👂, offer understanding 🤝, and help signpost you to the right support, so you never have to feel alone.

Were you there? Did you get the chance to meet them? We’d love to hear from you! 😊

📢 Got a community event coming up?
If you have an event you’d like NSPCWT to attend, or something that would benefit the Parent Carer community, please get in touch!

📧 Email us: admin@nspcwt.org
💬 Or send us a DM with the details

Together we can reach more families and make sure support is always within reach. 💜

10/03/2026

Come and celebrate Single Parents Day with our
Doing it Solo project for single parents with disabled children, young people and adults.

Join us together with the wonderful Dame Philippa Russell who will be sharing her wisdom, stories and many years of experiences of being a lone parent bringing up her own disabled child.

For more information and a link to the zoom contact tony@bringingustogether.org.uk

The National Lottery Community Fund

10/03/2026

Join WheelPower and Luiz Faye for a FREE Online Adaptive Box-Fit Class from the comfort of your homes LIVE on Zoom.

If you're looking for a home workout that increases your strength, core stability, and mobility, then look no further! From the comfort of your own home, join Luiz Faye for functional and friendly sessions that can be performed from a seated position, and to suit all levels and abilities.

Join WheelPower and Luiz Faye for a FREE Online Adaptive Box-Fit Class from the comfort of your homes every Monday at 11am. Book now.

26/02/2026

📢 Celebrating 10 Years of Impact: The CANN National Knowledge Exchange

From our roots in 2016 as Leeds CANN to a national collaborative of over 100 member organisations, it has been an incredible decade of growth.

To mark this milestone, we are bringing together our networks from West Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, the North East, and the South West for a vital national webinar.

🤝 Strengthening the Pathway: A Collaborative Approach to SEND
This forum is designed for non-profit leaders and statutory service providers—including the NHS and local authorities—to:

Bridge Regional Gaps: Aligning strategies across the UK.

Break Down Silos: Sharing high-level national knowledge.

Enhance Support: Streamlining best practices to create a more integrated environment for the families we serve.

📅 Event Details
Date: Thursday 30 April 2026

Time: 10:00 am – 12:30 pm

Platform: National Webinar

Cost: FREE to attend

Join us as we reflect on ten years of impact and work together to shape the future of SEND provision.

🔗 Register Your Place
Sign up here: https://celebrating10yearsofimpactthec.splashthat.com/

26/02/2026

Welcome to new members Gympanzees!

Gympanzees is a Bristol-based charity building the UK’s first fully inclusive leisure, play and exercise centre for disabled children and young people aged 0–25.

Founded by Stephanie Wheen, Gympanzees was created to tackle the severe lack of accessible spaces where disabled children can play, exercise and socialise alongside their families. After years of running successful pop-up events and a Lending Library of specialist equipment, the charity is now developing a permanent, purpose-built centre opening in 2026.

https://www.gympanzees.org/

26/02/2026

Making Our Spaces Accessible for All 🌍

Did you know there are over 16 million disabled people in the UK, yet many still face significant barriers when trying to access indoor and outdoor spaces?

Activity Alliance is hosting a fantastic free webinar to help change that! Whether you’re a local group leader, a coach, a volunteer, or a venue owner, this session is packed with practical, cost-effective solutions to help everyone feel they belong.

✨ Webinar: Access for All – Creating Accessible Places and Spaces
Learn how to use the Access for All guide to improve everything from the "accessible welcome" to navigating parks, halls, and community hubs.

The Details:
📅 Date: Monday 16th March
🕙 Time: 10:00am – 11:00am
💻 Where: Online (Zoom/Teams)
💰 Cost: FREE (Just sign up as an Activity Alliance supporter to book)

It’s not about expensive renovations—it’s about small, smart changes that make a massive difference to our families and children with additional needs.

🔗 Find out more and book your place here: https://www.activityalliance.org.uk/news/10448-webinar-access-for-all-creating-accessible-places-and-spaces

Join our latest online event that will highlight ways you can create accessible places and spaces with help from our Access for All guide.

26/02/2026

Take some time for yourself and explore the calming, creative world of printmaking with Carers Support Bristol and South Gloucestershire. These free workshops are designed specifically for carers and offer a friendly, supportive space to relax, try something new and connect with others who understand the challenges of caring.

No experience is needed and all materials are provided. Each session is led by an experienced printmaker, with refreshments available.

Upcoming workshops at the Vassall Centre, Gill Ave, Fishponds:

Lino cutting: 23 March, 29 April — 9:15–12:15
Gelli printing: 4 March, 30 March, 6 May — 9:15–12:15
Screen printing: 16 March, 20 April — 9:15–12:15
Take a well‑deserved break, rediscover your creative spark and leave feeling inspired.

Email to book your place: artintro.workshops@gmail.com

13/02/2026

📢 First Ever H.I.E. Conference: 14th May 2026

We are so proud to share this landmark event from Peeps - HIE. at The Lowry, Salford Quays. This is a day dedicated to bringing families, professionals, and organisations together to listen, learn, and support one another.

Whether you are a parent, carer, or healthcare professional, this is a space to feel heard, informed, and empowered.

🌟 What’s happening on the day?
Lived Experience: Hear honest and powerful stories from H.I.E. families.

Expert Insights: Research and healthcare updates to improve outcomes.

Supportive Spaces: A dedicated parent/carer room with peer support available.

Networking: Explore exhibitor stands from charities, legal, and advocacy professionals.

The Peeps team will be on hand all day. If you feel overwhelmed, they can even arrange to meet you on arrival or facilitate introductions—they are there to make sure everyone feels safe and welcome.

🎟️ Book Your Tickets Directly Here:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/hie-conference-tickets-1434277846649

Please note: This event is hosted by our partners at Peeps H.I.E. For group bookings or invoice requests, you can also email them at info@peeps-hie.org.

13/02/2026

🌳 New Event: Walk & Talk Group for Global Majority Carers
Taking a break isn't just a luxury; it’s essential. Join Carers Support Bristol and South Gloucestershire for a morning of fresh air, gentle exercise, and connection at the beautiful Stoke Park.

Whether you want to chat with others who understand the unique challenges of caring or simply enjoy the woodland trails and wood carvings, this session is for you. A friendly support worker will be on hand to listen and offer information to help you in your role.

📍 Event Details
When: 10:30am – 12:00pm

Where: Stoke Park (BS16)

Who: Specifically for Global Majority Carers

Cost: Free to attend

📩 How to Join
Whatever your walking ability, you are very welcome to join us. To find out more or to book your place, please contact the organisers directly:

Email: walk@carersbsg.org.uk

Organised by: Carers Support Centre (BSG)

Note: We are sharing this event on behalf of our partners in the network. Please reach out to the email above for specific meeting point details!

21/11/2025

📢 Join Us for an Important Free Event!

Child Brain Injury and Early Years Education Conference

🗓 Thursday 29 January 2026
📍 Stewarts sol, 5 New Street Square, London, EC4A 3BF

This conference is designed for parents, families, and professionals supporting children with birth and brain injuries through the early years’ SEN and EHCP process.
✅ Free to attend
✅ CPD points available
✅ Expert speakers and networking opportunities

Schedule:
🍴 Lunch: 12pm – 1pm
🎤 Presentations & Q&A: 1pm – 5pm
🍹 Drinks & Discussions: 5pm onwards

Speakers include:

Dr Ruth Kent – Neurological Rehabilitation
Dr Angela Simcox – Neuropsychology
Emily Neal – Special Education Advisor
Jennifer Wright – Solicitor
Launa Randles – Headteacher

👉 Register now: https://sites-stewartslaw.vuturevx.com/25/1542/landing-pages/rsvp-(blank).asp?sid=blankform